Particulate blocking undergarment

ABSTRACT

A particulate blocking undergarment for workers operating in hazardous environments. The undergarment adds particulate blocking technology to an undergarment (men&#39;s and women&#39;s brief, bra) that provides a protective barrier to significantly reduce the risk of exposure to carcinogens and infiltration around protective over garments. The protective barrier includes a plurality of layers including an inner flame retardant layer and an outer particulate blocking layer. The inner layer may include a Polartech® Power Stretch FR® material—and/or other material per NFPA 1975. The outer layer may include a Stedfast, Stedair® Prevent material—and/or other materials per NPFA 1971.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/882,746 filed Aug. 5, 2019, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to undergarments, and more particularly to protective undergarments.

Protective outer garments for firefighters, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) crews, and other occupations are well known. These protective outer garments seek to strike a balance between protection from exposure to adverse elements and body temperature regulation for the wearer of the garments. Particulates generated during a fire present a carcinogenic hazard to wearers through contact with and absorption through the skin.

Current outer garments seek to ameliorate or reduce this risk by preventing the particulates from penetrating or infiltrating the protective outer garment. While these garments are generally effective, there are currently no protective garments in the field that provide protection from particulates infiltrating these outer garments.

As can be seen, there is a need for an undergarment that provides particulate blocking technology to provide a critical barrier and significantly reduce the risk of exposure to carcinogens.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a particulate blocking undergarment is disclosed. The particulate blocking undergarment includes a brief structure having a waistband, and a pair of leg openings. A front pouch is dimensioned to cover a groin area and a front panel extends from the pouch along a medial aspect of each leg of the garment. A leg panel extends from a lateral aspect of the front panel and wraps around a lateral aspect of the leg openings to join with a back panel dimensioned to cover a medial portion of the buttocks. A saddle interconnects each of the pouch, the front panel, the leg panel, and the back panel. A pouch overlay, a front panel overlay, a back panel overlay, and a saddle overlay, formed of a particulate blocking material is attached to the respective pouch, front panel, back panel, and saddle, each formed of a flame retardant material.

In some embodiments, the particulate blocking material has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

In some embodiments, each of the pouch, front panel, the back panel, and the saddle are a cotton-poly-spandex material.

In other preferred embodiments, each of the pouch overlay, the front panel overlay, the back panel overlay, and the saddle overlay have a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 99%.

In other aspects of the invention, a particulate blocking undergarment, is disclosed. The particulate blocking undergarments includes an inner layer formed of a flame-retardant material formed in a selected undergarment structure. An outer layer is formed of a particulate blocking material. The outer layer is affixed to a portion of the inner layer and dimensioned to overly a sensitive skin area of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the particulate blocking material has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

In yet other aspects of the invention, another particulate blocking undergarment is disclosed. The particulate blocking undergarment has a sports bra structure formed of a stretch cotton-poly-spandex material. A frontal protective panel is formed of a particulate blocking fabric overlying a frontal area of the sports bra structure. The frontal protective panel is dimensioned to cover at least a breast area of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the particulate blocking fabric has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.

In a preferred embodiment, the particulate blocking fabric has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 99%.

IN other embodiments, the particulate blocking fabric covers a portion of a back panel of the sports bra structure.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a particulate blocking brief.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the particulate blocking brief.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective front view of the particulate blocking brief.

FIG. 4 is an exploded back view of the particulate blocking brief.

FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 from FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a section view taken along line 6-6 from FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a section view taken along line 7-7 from FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a particulate blocking sports bra.

FIG. 9 is a back view of the particulate blocking sports bra.

FIG. 10 is a section view taken along line 10-10 from FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a section view taken along line 11-11 from FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method, and apparatus for providing protective undergarments to ameliorate or reduce the risks of carcinogenic particulate contamination. The particulate blocking under garments 10 of the present invention provide an added level of protection for reducing the incidence of disease and injury to workers operating in environments with particulate contamination or a risk of particulate contamination.

As seen in reference to the drawings of FIGS. 1-7, the particulate blocking undergarments 10 of the present invention include a brief structure having a waistband 12, a front pouch 14, a front panel 16 extending from the pouch 14 along in inner side of each leg of the garment. A leg panel 18 extends from a lateral aspect of the front panel 16 and wraps around a wearer's legs to a back panel 22. A saddle 20 interconnects each of the pouch 14, the front sides 16, the leg panel 18, and the back panel 22.

A protective panel is formed of a plurality of layers overlying sensitive skin areas of the wearer, such as the groin, breasts, and medial aspects of the buttocks. An in inner layer of the protective panel, comprising the pouch 14, the front panel 16, the saddle 20, and the back panel 22 includes a flame retardant material, such as Power Stretch FR®, by Polartech® of Andover, Mass.

An outer layer of the protective panel includes a layer of particulate blocking material, such as Stedair®-Prevent®, for each of a pouch overlay 26, a side panel overlay 28, a saddle overlay 30, and a back overlay 32.

The particulate blocking undergarments may also include panels made of a non-particulate blocking material to retain the protective panels in position over the sensitive areas of the wearer's skin while operating. The non-particulate blocking layer also facilitates breathability of the underlying areas of the wearer's skin. The present invention integrates particulate blocking technology into a brief undergarment, which provides a barrier between the skin and carcinogens for firefighter, military and other high risk jobs.

A men's or woman's brief according to a first embodiment may include one or more of the following layers and materials—Further alterations of the design, as appropriate to meet the needs of fit, form, or function:

A flame-retardant layer, comprising a high-performance stretch cotton-poly-spandex material, such as a Power Stretch FR material, manufactured by Polartech of Andover, Mass.—and/or other material per NFPA 1975.

The particulate blocking layer having a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%, more preferably at least 99%. Stedair® Prevent material, manufactured by Stedfast Inc. of Piney Flats, Tenn.—and/or other materials per NPFA 1971.

In the protective briefs, the particulate blocking panel is dimensioned to cover a frontal area of the wearer's groin. The particulate blocking panel may be further be dimensioned with a saddle portion 20, 30 to protect between the wearer's legs proximal to the groin area, and may extend to a back 22, 32, or buttocks area of the garment 10. Leg openings of the brief are provided with an elastic material 24 to maintain a closure of a leg portion of the brief in close contact with the wearer's leg to limit infiltration of particulates through the openings. The waistband 12 is also provided with a close fitting closure, such as an elastic waistband, to prevent the infiltration of particulates through the waist opening.

In other embodiments, shown in FIGS. 8-11, a particulate protective bra 34 is disclosed. The particulate protective bra 34 is shaped like a conventional sports bra having an base layer formed of a flame retardant material, such as the Power Stretch FR material or other material that is NFPA 1975 compliant, that is dimensioned a typical sport bra to provide broader coverage of the breast area of the wearer. A particulate panel 40, formed of a particulate blocking material, such as Stedfast, Stedair® Prevent material—and/or other materials per NPFA 1971 is joined to support straps 36 and a torso band 38 that is elastic or augmented with elastic material to provide a close fit and maintain the position of the particulate blocking panel 38, 40 about the wearer's breasts when worn and engaged in activities. In some embodiments, the particulate blocking panel 38, 40 may be dimensioned to encircle the wearer's torso, with the shoulder straps 36 interconnecting the frontal panel 38, 40 and the aft panel.

The inner layers are selected, dimensioned, and joined such that the brief fits in a close fitting relation to the wearer's body, like a compression or bicycle short, for comfort, conformity, and sealing of the particulate blocking panels.

The present invention is designed to address occupational cancer in the fire service. Studies have shown particulates containing carcinogens often get onto firefighters' skin specifically the groin during firefighting practices. This product will reduce the risk for exposure.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A particulate blocking undergarment, comprising: a brief structure having a waistband, and a pair of leg openings; a front pouch dimensioned to cover a groin area and a front panel extend from the front pouch along a medial aspect of each leg of the brief structure; a leg panel extends from a lateral aspect of the front panel and wraps around a lateral aspect each of the pair of leg openings to join with a back panel dimensioned to cover a medial portion of a wearer's buttocks; a saddle interconnects each of the front pouch, the front panel, the leg panel, and the back panel; and a pouch overlay, a front panel overlay, a back panel overlay, and a saddle overlay, formed of a particulate blocking material is attached to the respective pouch, front panel, back panel, and saddle, each formed of a flame retardant material.
 2. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 1, wherein: the particulate blocking material having a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.
 3. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 1, wherein each of the front pouch, the front panel, the back panel, and the saddle are a cotton-poly-spandex material.
 4. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 1, wherein each of the pouch overlay, the front panel overlay, the back panel overlay, and the saddle overlay have a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 99%.
 5. A particulate blocking undergarment, comprising; an inner layer formed of a flame-retardant material formed as an undergarment; and an outer layer formed of a particulate blocking material, the outer layer affixed to a portion of the inner layer and dimensioned to overly a sensitive skin area of a user.
 6. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 5, wherein: the particulate blocking material has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.
 7. A particulate blocking undergarment, comprising: a sports bra structure formed of a stretch cotton-poly-spandex material; and a frontal protective panel formed of a particulate blocking fabric overlying the sports bra structure, the frontal protective panel dimensioned to cover at least a breast area of a wearer.
 8. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 7, wherein the particulate blocking fabric has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 90%.
 9. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 7, wherein the particulate blocking fabric has a particulate blocking efficiency of at least 99%.
 10. The particulate blocking undergarment of claim 7, wherein the particulate blocking fabric covers a portion of a back panel of the sports bra structure. 